Above and Beyond
The puddles were constantly interrupted by newcomer raindrops. They sprang up, as if unwilling to submit. Each one was quickly assimilated, however, and they began to form large pools around the gutters.
She stepped out into this weather, holding her umbrella over her phone as she watched the countdown to her ride share’s arrival.
Before too long, a Civic pulled up and the window rolled down, the rain bouncing into the car and onto the driver.
“Monique?”
She nodded and ran to the other side, pulling open the door and throwing her bag and umbrella onto the floor of the back seat. She quickly joined them and pulled the door closed hard behind her.
“You good?”
“Yep, thanks.”
They rode along in silence for several blocks, while the noise and activity of his arrival faded slowly into the silence and peacefulness of raindrops on the windows.
“How’s your day so far?” He began timidly.
She waited a moment, looking intently out into the grey day.
“Good so far,” she offered.
He looked down at his phone, pulling up the navigation app and scrolling ahead to view the route.
“Planned Parenthood on Wilshire?” He tried to make eye contact in the rearview mirror as he asked.
She avoided him, looking out the opposite window.
“Yep.”
“Okay, got it.” He scrolled back through and turned his attention back to driving.
The rain got heavier on the windows as they drove through the city blocks. It seemed to be pouring great buckets of water onto the car.
As he made that left turn onto Wilshire, Monique put her face in her hands to steady herself, but instead she fell into line with the weather outside – and began to sob.
He looked behind him, then back to the road. He was barely moving at this point; the rain was so heavy. After a few moments, he turned on his blinker and made his way to the side of the road.
They sat together for a few minutes, willing captives of an act of God.
Finally, he ventured into the silence, “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
She let his words sit there as the rain seemed to support his point. Eventually, Monique lifted up her head from her hands, but still didn’t look at him. “You’re right. I know.”
“So, where are we going?”
“Home… do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
As they rode home, the rain cleared, and the morning sun crafted prisms through the raindrops that sat on the windows.
Once inside, Monique was prompted to rate her ride: Good driving? Clean car?